EPAR TECHNICAL REPORT #206
Wed, 12/12/2012
AUTHORS: Kathryn Bergh, Patricia Orozco, C. Leigh Anderson, Mary Kay Gugerty
ABSTRACT:
This report provides a general overview of the market for yams in Ghana. We begin by describing historical trends in yam production and consumption since 1996, recent international trade, and prices. The second section summarizes the varieties grown in Ghana and their uses. The next several sections review available information about the production and marketing systems, followed by a discussion of the importance of yams as a source of nutrition and household income. The limited information available on sweet potato production in Ghana is presented in the appendix. We find that yam production in Ghana has increased steadily over the last 15 years, and that while yam yields have increased from 12.8 MT/Ha in 1996 to 15.6 MT/Ha in 2011, an estimated yield gap of 33.4 MT/Ha persists. Yam export levels have varied over the past 15 years, but show a generally positive trend. Most yam farmers are male smallholders with low levels of education, while most retailers, wholesalers and cross-border traders are women.
This report is part of a broader series of reports on crop value chains. Follow the links below to explore the other reports in this series:
- Crop Value Chains: Wheat Global Analysis (EPAR Technical Report #199)
- Crop Value Chains: Wheat in Bihar, India (EPAR Technical Report #202)
- Crop Value Chains: Wheat in Bangladesh (EPAR Technical Report #203)
- Crop Value Chains: Wheat in Ethiopia (EPAR Technical Report #204)
- Crop Value Chains: Yams in Nigeria (EPAR Technical Report #207)
- Crop Value Chains: Sweet Potatoes in Tanzania (EPAR Technical Report #211)
- Crop Value Chains: Sweet Potatoes in Uganda (EPAR Research Brief #217)
- Crop Value Chains: Sweet Potatoes in Ethiopia (EPAR Research Brief #219)
- Crop Value Chains: Sweet Potatoes in Nigeria (EPAR Technical Report #220)
- Crop Value Chains: Cassava Global Analysis (EPAR Technical Report #223)
- Crop Value Chains: Bananas and Plantains in West Africa (EPAR Technical Report #239)
TYPE OF RESEARCH: Literature Review
RESEARCH TOPIC CATEGORY: Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Livelihoods; Agricultural Inputs & Farm Management; Market & Value Chain Analysis
GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: West Africa Region and Selected Countries
DATASET(S): FAOSTAT
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